Yang Xin 杨鑫

Born 1987, Huaihua, Hunan

Yang Xin was drawn to microbiology because cells are the original, most elemental forms of life. After studying a vast array of cells under a microscope and conducting many experiments, she developed a process for creating “cells” of pure colour that owes at least as much to the techniques of the laboratory than it does to traditional painting skills. Using fine syringes, she places tiny quantities of biological and mineral pigments on glass slides and limits their interaction so the colours remain distinct. “All life is as beautiful as the life you see under the microscope,” she says. She hopes her work will inspire people to pay closer attention to living things and have more respect for life.”